Sport Inclusion Australia has announced the Australian team of eight riders to compete at the 2024 Virtus Open European Equestrian Championships.

“Equestrian riders have waited a long time to represent their country overseas, our first team of three riders competed at the 2023 Virtus Global Games in France achieving great success, it so pleasing to now be able to provide eight riders with that honour and experience of representing Australia in international competition,” said Sport Inclusion Australia CEO Robyn Smith.

The Championships will be held in Winchester, Hamsphire United Kingdom from 15-19 July.

2023 Global Games Gold medallists Andrew Driffield (NSW), Sarah Sherwood (QLD) and Sui Watts (NSW) will head the Australian team, which includes five equestrian debutants.

 

Andrew Driffield at the 2023 Global Games in Vichy. Image: Virtus Global Games.

 

Bel Dabic (WA) represented Australia at the 2023 Virtus Global Games in Swimming and will return to Europe in her first Equestrian team alongside Luke Purtill (WA), Chloe Karsten (NSW), Phoebe Roche (VIC) and Catherine Viney (SA).

 

Bel Dabic (WA). Image supplied.

 

Luke Purtill (WA). Image supplied.

 

All riders have qualified for the team through participation in online video competitions and or participation at Equestrian Australia Para Selection trials at Willinga Park (NSW) and Boneo (VIC).

The success of the Australian team at the Global Games in 2023 and the support of Equestrian Australia providing competition and showcasing the Virtus riders has seen an incredible increase in the number of riders. Participating in the Equestrian Australia CPEDI events has provided an opportunity for riders to display their ability and create an awareness of the pathway.

“The Global Games team did Australia proud in 2023. This larger team selected the 2024 Virtus European Equestrian Championships highlights the continuing growth of Virtus equestrian in Australia,” said Nick Hunter, Para-Equestrian High Performance Lead for Equestrian Australia.

 

Sarah Sherwood (QLD) at the 2023 Virtus Global Games. Image: Virtus Global Games.

 

“We would like to thank Equestrian Australia for their support of this team and the promotion of the Virtus pathway,” Smith said.

As they did in France the team will be riding on borrowed horses and will have two days to select and prepare the horses for the competition.